Introducing Rachel Willis a wonderfully fresh and positive woman with a fantastic outlook on business life . I meet Rachel online and through our passion for people we have stayed connected and continue to collaborate. In this great blog Rachel talks about working on your business rather than in it and making positive steps towards Indigo Ventures with some steps on how to get there.

These are unprecedented times, with each and every one of us called upon to assess our contribution to the world. Do you make the world a better place? Or do you use its resources and energy for your own need, without thought to others?

Whilst these are important question for individuals, they are even more important for businesses, since businesses are collectively responsible for the majority of what is created in this world, as well as being employers for the vast majority of the world’s population.

Ironically, it is businesses that are the slowest to evolve. Whilst individuals are waking up and seeing the need for positive change and growth, businesses continue in their fearful, protectionist, hierarchical slumber.

So what can we do about it? The answer is twofold. As business leaders, our mission is to change the way our organisations are run, from the top down. And as individuals, our mission is to change the way our organisations are operated, from the bottom up!

What does the future of business look like?

It is diverse, ethical and equal. People are encouraged to utilise their unique gifts to maximum effect, and devote all their energies to them. If they are not interested in the finance or administrative side of their job, for example, then they quite simply won’t do that. “Won’t that mean that they don’t get done?” I hear you ask. Not at all, because there are a great many talented workers who enjoy finance or administrative tasks, they thrive on these, and are indeed excellent at them.

Therefore, surely it makes sense for each person to focus on their strengths – without judgement or comparison – and allow each to create from their heart with a sense of inspiration, freedom and ownership? And when I say create, this does not mean that these roles are limited to purely ‘creative’ jobs. That is a stereotype that is outdated. To continue the example, for a person who loves finance, a balance sheet is a creation, and for a person who loves administration, a PowerPoint presentation is also a creation.

When everyone focuses on his or her personal skills and talents, the world will become more efficient, productive and content. Businesses will do better, in all senses of the word. Qualitative and quantitative results will see a marked improvement, coupled with fewer sick days, greater wellbeing amongst the workforce and much lower staff turnover.

What is there not to embrace about this concept?

This is my modus operandi for what I term ‘Indigo Ventures’ – those that trailblaze this new, visionary way of being better businesses. Why Indigo? Because it’s the colour of vision, foresight and collective intelligence.

1. Know that honesty is the best policy

Every service is provided by people, for people. Every product is created by people, for people. People are at the heart of everything.

And Indigo Ventures know that people are not stupid; they can sense dishonesty, inauthenticity and immorality, so they extend everyone the decency of maintaining integrity at all times.

They are transparent in their communication, honest in their approach and courageously humble in both admitting and rectifying their shortcomings.

2. Are filled with happy, inspired people

You won’t find owners or employees of Indigo Ventures moaning about the weather whilst reading the newspaper with down-turned mouths. They know that in any situation there are always positive and creative possibilities. They deliberately choose to focus on the positive aspects so that these are magnified and attract even more positivity.

Therefore, they will usually be some of the most vital, interesting and vibrant people around, and mix with just the same type of individuals and businesses.

While they choose this network on purpose, it also happens naturally because by being happy and inspired themselves, they can’t help but attract the same.

They know that by surrounding themselves with happy, inspired people, they are creating a buzzing environment that automatically uplifts, cheers and inspires them.

3. Value each individual

Indigo Ventures value, respect and listen to every member of the team. They welcome their opinion and input, fairly reward their contribution, and acknowledge their equality within the group.

As such, they pool their strengths and work as a team; allowing people to freely utilise their talents and recognising the unique contribution of each individual.

4. Are custodial

Indigo Ventures take their leadership responsibilities seriously, and welcome their role as custodians of both the planet and its inhabitants.

They make environmentally aware choices, facilitate personal development, and support enterprise, progress and innovation.

5. Don’t take themselves too seriously

Indigo Ventures know that if success were directly correlated to how serious businesses took themselves, Apple, Virgin and Google would not be such renowned brands and world leaders.

Adding a splash of humour, glamour and fun are pre-requisites for their business, and not just reserved for Friday afternoons!

6. Empower others

Indigo Ventures know that collaboration, recognition and evolution are the most important elements of life, including business.

They talk the talk and walk the walk. They also empower others to do the same because they know it makes business – and the world as a whole – better for us all.

Empowerment leads to new visions and greater frontiers, and is based upon the founding philosophy that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.

7. Lead with passion

No matter how tough the situation, Indigo Ventures lead from the heart with the same passion that brought their business into creation.

They make choices and decisions from this place of loving inspiration, knowing that this will serve them – and others – best in the long run.

They accept the natural cycles of business evolution; yet use their passion of purpose as the powerful focus that sustains them through the highs and lows.

8. Trust in universal abundance

Indigo Ventures know that they create value by providing value. They trust that by focusing on the latter they shall enjoy an abundance of the former.

They know what they want, they trust in the universal abundance of all resources – money, people, knowledge and so on – and they know that by asking to partake in this supply, they are immediately aligned with receiving.

9. Are solution oriented

Indigo Ventures know that all answers are available, and to access them it is simply a matter of going back to basics and what they know to be true.

No matter what, they know there is always a way to evolve and move forwards, and they seek this at every opportunity.

When making decisions, finding solutions and dealing with problems, they trust their intuition – even when it seems to defy logic or possibility – as they know that business evolution is a spiral; even when it seems that they are taking steps backwards, the movement is always upward.

10. Believe in quality not quantity

Indigo Ventures know that more can be achieved with less. They choose to live in the flow, where creations appear effortlessly.

They empower each individual to manage their own time and use their internal compass to guide their day.

They do not force themselves to create, innovate or evolve; instead they trust that when they are inspired they can achieve greatness far beyond their original targets.

Who is Rachel Willis?

Rachel is the founder of Lightworker; the free online magazine to inspire, challenge and educate all who are dedicated to the art of positive living.

With a First in Economics and Finance, Chartered Accountancy qualification and passion for justice, evolution and opportunity, Rachel is perfectly placed to combine business and spiritual backgrounds to maximum effect by heading the growing Lightworker Group as it guides others to becoming the best they can be.

‘Tell us something about you that no one or very few people know’

My feet are only size 3, which allows me to indulge my passion for shoes and keeps my shoe room stocked with plenty of samples, bargain Choo’s and even a few pairs of children’s trainers!

Visit www.lightworkermag.com to read this month’s Fulfilment edition
Rachel@lightworkermag.com
+447515 388688
@RachelWillisUK and @LightworkerMag
facebook/com/lightworkermag

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